CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of.
Civil Engineering
CE 8501- DESIGN OF REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE ELEMENTS
TWO MARKS QUESTION AND ANSWER
UNIT-I
INTRODUCTION
1. Define reinforced concrete.
Reinforced cement concrete is a composite material is made of concrete and steel
reinforcement. The concrete may be assumed to work purely in compression whereas the
reinforcement is predominately subjected to tension. For a large range of applications it is
sufficient to consider the uni-axial response of either material.
2. What is the purpose of using reinforced cement concrete?
• Plain cement concrete has very low tensile strength. The tensile strength of concrete
is about one-tenth of its compressive strength. As a result, a plain concrete beam
fails suddenly as soon as the tension cracks start to develop.
• To improve the tensile strength of concrete, some sort of reinforcement is needed
which can take up the tensile stress developed in the structure.
• It’s not only increases the strength but also in preventing the temperature and
shrinkage.
• Therefore, reinforcing steel is added in the tension zone to carry all the developed
tensile stresses
3. What are the types of load on R.C.C structures?
• Dead load
• Live load or Imposed load
• Wind load
• Snow load
• Earthquake load
• Seismic load
4. What are the methods of design?
➢ Working Stress Method(WSM) (or) Elastic Method of Design
➢ Load Factor Method (or) Ultimate Load Method(ULM) (or) Ultimate Strength
Method
➢ Limit State Method(LSM)
5. What is the main concept of Elastic method?
Elastic method is based on elastic theory of RC section. In elastic theory, the
materials are assumed to behave in linear elastic manner and the required safety is ensured
by restricting the stresses in concrete and steel to permissible stresses obtained by suitable
factor of safety.
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
6. “The working stress method is unrealistic in many ways” – Justify with any two
points.
➢ This method deals only with the elastic behaviour of the member.
➢ It neither gives the real strength nor the true FOS of the structure against failure.
➢ Modular ratio is itself an imaginary quantity because of creep and non-linear
stressstrain relationship of concrete does not have a definite modulus of elasticity.
7. Write any two assumptions are made in elastic theory methods (or) Working Stress
Method (Refer IS:456-2000 ,ANNEX B-1.3)
The following are the assumptions made in working stress method:
a) At any cross-section, plane sections before bending remain plain after bending
b) All tensile stresses are taken up by reinforcement and none by concrete, except as
otherwise specifically permitted
c) The stress-strain relationship of steel and concrete, under working loads, is a straight line
d) The modular ratio m has the value =280/3
8. How does Limit State method of design differ from Working Stress method of design?
➢ Limit state method advances over the working stress method of design.
➢ Limit state method of design considers safety at ultimate loads and serviceability at working
loads while the WSM deals only with serviceability such as deflection, crack, etc.
9. Draw the stress- strain curve for various grades of steel. (Refer IS-456-2000 , Fig .23)
10. What are the factors considered in limit state of collapse? (Refer IS456-2000,cl.35.2)
➢ Flexure
➢ Compression
➢ Shear
➢ Torsion
11. What are the factors considered in limit state of serviceability? (Refer IS 456-
2000,cl.35.3)
➢ Cracking Deflection
➢ Durability
➢ Fire resistance
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CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
➢ Vibration
12. Write down the value of partial safety factor for concrete and steel. (Refer IS: 456-
2000,cl.36.4.2)
Partial factor of safety for concrete 𝛾𝑐 = 1.5
Partial factor of safety for steel 𝛾𝑠 = 1.15
13. Distinguish between under reinforced and over reinforced sections.
Under reinforced section Over reinforced section
Quantity of steel provided is less when Quantity of steel provided is more when
compared to that of balanced section compared to that of balanced section
Actual neutral axis is less the critical Actual neutral axis is greater the critical
neutral axis. (𝑥𝑢 < 𝑥𝑢,𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) neutral axis. (𝑥𝑢 > 𝑥𝑢,𝑚𝑎𝑥 )
A beam reaches its permissible stress in A beam reaches its permissible stress in
steel under the working moment before concrete under the working moment
concrete reaches its stress. before steel reaches its stress.
𝒎𝒖 < 𝒎𝒖,𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒎𝒖 > 𝒎𝒖,𝒍𝒊𝒎
14. Define doubly reinforced section.
• Steel reinforcements are provided on both tension and compression zone of RC
flexural member is known as doubly reinforced section.
• In some situations it becomes essential for a beam to carry BM more that it can
resist as a balanced section. In this case additional reinforcement is provided in
compression zone such beams reinforced in both compression and tension zones are
known as doubly reinforced section.
15. On what circumstances doubly reinforced beams are to be adopted?
Situations in which doubly reinforced sections preferred are:
➢ when the members are subjected to alternate external loads and the bending
moment in the section reverses
➢ when the members are subjected to loading eccentric on either side of axis
➢ when overall size of beam section is limited
➢ when beam section is continuous over several supports.
The section reinforced in both tension and compression is known as doubly reinforced beams.
The doubly reinforced beams are adopted when the balanced moment is smaller than the actual
moment.
16. Define characteristics load and characteristics of materials
Refer IS:456-2000, cl.36.2
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
17. Mention any two advantages of introducing compression steel in reinforced concrete
beams.
➢ We introduce compression reinforcement for carry over the additional moments in
the beams.
➢ The safety against failure of beam due to additional bending moment the
compression reinforcement is provided.
18. Define the term: Balanced Section.
➢ Concrete and steel reach their maximum permissible stresses simultaneously and
the moment of resistance can be calculated which yields the same value.
➢ Actual neutral axis coincide critical neutral axis in this section.
19. What are the Codal provisions for minimum reinforcement and maximum
reinforcement?
Refer IS 456:2000 , cl: 26.5.1.1
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
UNIT-II
DESIGN OF BEAMS
1. What do you understand by flanged beam?
The concrete in the slabs, which is on the compression side of the beam, can be made to resist the
compression forces, and the steel in the tension side of the beam can carry the tension. These
combined beam and slab units are called flanged beam.
2. Write the formula for effective flange width of isolated T-beam and L-beam? (Refer Cl.23.12 of IS:456-
2000)
3. Enumerate the advantages of flanged beams.
• Since the beam is casted monolithically with the slab, the flange also takes up the
compressive stresses which mean it will be more effective in resisting the sagging moment
acting on the beam.
• Better head room, this is direct outcome of the first point since the depth of the beam can be
considerably reduced.
4. Define shear strength.
The resistance to sliding offered by the material of beam is called shear strength.
5. What are the types of shear failure in reinforced concrete beams?
i. Shear – tension (or) Diagonal tension
ii. Flexure – shear
iii.Shear compression
iv.Shear – bond
6. How do you prevent minimum shear reinforcements?
• Brittle shear failure cracks which can occur without shear reinforcements
• Sudden failure due to bursting of concrete of concrete cover and bond to the tension
reinforcements
• The shear reinforcements help to hold the main reinforcement while concreting forming an
effective cage
• Formation of cracks due to the thermal and shrinkage stresses are minimized.
• Shear reinforcement act as effective ties for the compression steel and make them effective.
7. Define modes of cracking under shear
Shear-tension
Shear-bond
Shear – bending
Shear compression
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
8. What are the various types of shear reinforcement?
9. What are the types of reinforcement used to resist shear?
The types of reinforcement used to resist shear are
a. Vertical Stirrups
b. Inclined Stirrups
c. Bent up bars along with stirrups
10. What are the important factors affecting the shear resistance of a Reinforced concrete
member without shear reinforcement?
The important factors affecting the shear resistance of a reinforced concrete member without
shear reinforcement are
• Characteristic strength of concrete
• Percentage of longitudinal steel
• Shear span to depth ratio
• Axial compressive / Tensile force
• Effect of cross section
• Effect of two way action
11. State minimum requirement of shear reinforcement. (Refer cls. 40.3, 26.5.1.5 & 26.5.1.6 of IS
456)
12. Explain the check for design of shear reinforcement in RC beams. (Refer cls. 40.4, of IS 456)
13. State maximum spacing of stirrups (Refer cl. 26.5.1.5 of IS 456)
14. What are the functions of longitudinal reinforcement with respect torsion?
• To assist concrete, in resting compression, so as to reduce the overall size, of the column.
• To resist any tension that might develop due to bending caused by transverse load, eccentric
load or the moments.
• To reduce the effect of creep and shrinkage due to sustained loading.
• To prevent or delay sudden brittle collapse.
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
• To impart necessary ductility to the column.
• To hold the transverse reinforcement.
14. What is the importance of anchorage value of bends.
The bond between steel and concrete is very important and essential so that they can act
together without any slip in a loaded structure. With the perfect bond between them, the plane
section of a beam remains plane even after bending.
15. Write down the effect of torsion in RC beams?
Generally beams are provided with main reinforcement on the tension side for flexure
and transverse reinforcement for shear and torsion. On several situations beams and slabs are
subjected to torsion in addition to bending moment and shear force. Loads acting normal to the
plane of bending will cause bending moment and shear force. However, loads away from the plane
of bending will induce torsional moment along with bending moment and shear.
UNIT-III
DESIGN OF SLAB AND STAIRCASE
1. Write any two general features of two way slab?
• Two way slab is supported by beams in all four sides.
• The ratio of longer span panel (L) to shorter span panel (B) is less than 2.
• Thus, L/B < 2.
• Main reinforcement is provided in both the directions for two way slabs.
2. Explain the check for deflection control in the design of slabs?
The deflection of a structure or part thereof shall not adversely affect the appearance or
efficiency of the structure or finishes or partitions. The deflection shall generally be limited to
the following:
a) The final deflection due to all loads including the effects of temperature, creep and shrinkage
measured from the as-cast level of the , supports of floors, roofs and all other horizontal
members, should not normally exceed span/250.
b) The deflection including the effects of temperature, creep and shrinkage occurring after
erection of partitions and the application of finishes should not normally exceed span/350 or
20 mm whichever is less.
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
3. Classify the slabs depending on the direction of spanning (direction of distribution of loads).
The slab depending on the direction of spanning (direction of distribution of loads)
a. One way slabs
b. Two way slabs
4. What is One-way Slab
If the ratio of long span to short span is greater than or equal to 2, the slab is to be defined as one-
way slab or slab spanning in one direction. (or)
When the slab is supported only on two opposite sides, the slab bends in one direction only; hence it
is called a one-way slab.
5. Write any two general features of two way slab?
Two way slab is supported by beams in all four sides.
The ratio of longer span panel (L) to shorter span panel (B) is less than 2. Thus, L/B < 2.
Main reinforcement is provided in both the directions for two way slabs.
6. Sketch the edge and middle strip of one way slab? [M/J-13]
7. What is a stair case?
A staircase consists of a number of steps arranged in a series, with landings at appropriate
locations, for the purposes of giving access to different floors of a building.
8. Different types of stair case.
1. Ordinary staircase 2. Dog-legged staircase 3. Helf turn staircase 4. Two flight staircase
5. Open-well staircase 6. Spiral staircase 7. Helicoidal staircase
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
8. Define (i) Tread (ii) Riser (iii) going (iv) Waist
Tread: The horizontal top portion of a step where foot rests is known as tread. The dimension
ranges from 270 mm for residential buildings and factories to 300 mm for public buildings
where large number of persons use the staircase.
Riser: The vertical distance between two successive steps is termed as riser .The dimension
of the riser ranges from 150 mm for public buildings to 190 mm for residential buildings and
factories.
Going: Going is the horizontal projection between the first and the last riser of an inclined
flight .
Waist: The thickness of the waist-slab on which steps are made is known as waist . The depth
(thickness) of the waist is the minimum thickness perpendicular to the soffit of the staircase
.The steps of the staircase resting on waist-slab can be made of bricks or concrete.
9.How will you classify staircase structurally?
a. Stair slab spanning longitudinally
b. Stair slab spanning transversely
10.What is a flight?
A flight is the length of the staircase situated between two landings. The number of steps in a
flight may vary between 3 to 12.
11. What is the minimum rise and tread in residential buildings?
In residential buildings, the rise may vary between 150mm to 180mm tread between 200mm
to 250mm.
12. What is the minimum rise and tread in public buildings?
In public buildings, the rise may vary between 120mm to 150mm tread between 200mm to
300mm.
13.Mention the places where the following staircase can be used
• Single flight staircase is used in cellars or attics where the height between floors is small
and the frequency of its use is less.
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
• Quarter turn staircase flight generally runs adjoining the walls and provides
uninterrupted space at the centre of the room. Generally used in domestic houses where
floor heights are limited to 3m.
• Dog legged staircase is generally adopted in economical utilization of available space.
• Open well staircases are provided in public buildings where large spaces are available.
• In congested locations, where space availability is small, Spiral stairs are provided.
14.How will you provided reinforcement in staircase?
UNIT-IV DESIGN OF COLUMNS
1. What is column?
When a member carrying axial load is vertical and having an effective length exceeding three
times the least lateral dimension is called as Column.
2. What is meant by braced column?
A column may be considered braced in a given plane if lateral stability to the structure as a
whole is provided by walls or bracing or buttressing designed to resist all lateral forces in
that plane.
3. What are the modes of failure of a column? [N/D15]
• Compression failure
• Tension failure
4. Write any two salient assumptions are made in the limit state design of columns.
The following assumptions are made for column failing under pure compression:
i. The maximum compressive strain in concrete in axial compression is 0.002
ii. Plane sections remain plane in compression
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
iii. The design stress strain curve for steel in compression is taken to be the same as in
tension.
5. Write about percentage of reinforcement for columns
As per is 456 a reinforced concrete column shall have longitudinal steel reinforcement and the
cross-sectional area of such reinforcement shall be not be less than 0.8% nor more than 6% of
the cross sectional area of the column required to transmit all the loading.
6. What is the salient condition for minimum eccentricity of column?
All axially loaded columns should be designed considering the minimum eccentricity
ex min ≥ greater of )l/500 + D/30) or 20 mm
ey min ≥ greater of )l/500 + b/30) or 20 mm
where l, D and b are the unsupported length, larger lateral dimension and least lateral
dimension, respectively.
7. Write any two reinforcement provision in columns.
As per IS 456-2000 a reinforced concrete column shall have longitudinal steel reinforcement
and cross sectional area of such reinforcement shall not be less than 0.8% nor more than 6% of
cross sectional area of column required to transmit all the loading.
The effective length of a column depends upon unsupported length and boundary conditions
at end of columns. The effective length Lef can be expressed in the form: Lef = kL
where L = Unsupported length or clear height of column k = Effective length ratio
8. What are the important limitations of slender columns?
A short concrete column is one having a ratio of unsupported length to least dimension of
the cross section equal to or less than 10. If the ratio is greater than 10, it is considered a long
column (sometimes referred to as a slender column).
9. State the assumptions in case of limit state design of compression as applied in case of
reinforced concrete section.
The assumptions involved in the limit state design of compression are:
a. Plane sections normal to the axis of the member remain plane after bending.
b. The maximum strain in concrete at the extreme fiber in compression has a value of 0.0035 in
bending.
c. The design stress-strain relationship for concrete is taken as the curve against the value 0.67
fck / m.
d. The tensile strength of the concrete is ignored.
SRM TRP ENGINEERING COLLEGE Prepared By: S.MANIMARAN
CE 8501- Design of Reinforced Cement Concrete Elements Dept. of. Civil Engineering
e. The stresses in the reinforcements are derived from representative stress-strain curve for the
type of steel used.
f. The maximum compressive strain in concrete in axial compression is taken as 0.002.
g. The maximum compressive strain at the highly compressed extreme fibre in concrete
subjected to axial compression and bending and when there is no tension on the section shall be
0.0035 minus 0.75 times the strain at the least compressed fibre.
10. List out the various edge conditions for braced column and their effective length.
End Conditions Effective length
a. Both ends fixed rotationally - 0.5 L
b. Pinned ends - 1.0 L
c. One end fixed and the other pinned - 0.7 L
11. List out the various edge conditions for unbraced column and their effective length.
End Conditions Effective length
a. Both ends fixed rotationally - 1.2 L
b. One end fixed and the other partially fixed - 1.5 L
c. One end fixed and the other free - 2.0 L
12. What is meant by slenderness ratio of compression member?
Slenderness ratio is a geometrical property of a compression member which is related to the ratio of
its effective length to its least lateral dimension.
13. Under which condition a column is designed with axial load and biaxial bending.
A column with axial load and biaxial bending is commonly found in structures, because of two
major reasons.
a. Axial load may have natural eccentricities, through small, with respect to both the axes.
b. Corner columns of a building may be subjected to bending moments in both the directions
along with axial load.
The diameter shall not be less than
a. one fourth of the largest longitudinal bar
b. 6 mm
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